DENVER -- Not that David Wright's home run drought dragged on too long or anything, but even his fantasy football league buddies couldn't resist taking a shot at the All-Star third baseman.

As the dry spell stretched to just more than a month, on the league's Web site appeared the poll question: Which will be higher, David's home run total or his wins in the fantasy league?

Very funny, guys. But it may be time for a new question. When Wright finally connected on Wednesday for the first time since July 28, he did it with the bases loaded for his fourth career grand slam.

In his first at-bat on Thursday, Wright did it again. Not a grand slam, but a first-inning home run that gave the Mets an early lead for the third consecutive night. But for a change, the Mets couldn't hold onto this one, dropping the series finale to the Colorado Rockies, 8-4, before 23,273 at Coors Field.

But one loss along the way is much easier to take now that Wright is back on track. Especially with the Tigers (83-51, .619) also losing on Thursday, the Mets (82-50, .621) retain the best winning percentage in the Major Leagues.

Wright also doubled in five at-bats to finish 7-for-13 in the series and get his average back to an even .300, to go with 24 homers and 102 RBIs, matching his career high. Eleven of those RBIs have come in the last four games. In eight games prior to this series, Wright endured a 3-for-27 funk.

"I'm taking steps in the right direction,'' said Wright, who continues to play despite a sore right thumb. "It takes a little while to get back to where you want to be. I'm having some good at-bats, and I'm still having a few bad at-bats. But I'm definitely feeling more confident, that's for sure.''

Other than having to take grief from his fantasy league friends, Wright said the home run drought didn't affect him mentally.

"No, not one bit, because I don't consider myself a home run hitter,'' he said. "I'm more of a doubles, gaps type hitter. As long as you're driving in guys and the run production is still there.''

Getting back on track can't be said for Oliver Perez, however. Given a second start in a depleted Mets rotation, the enigmatic left-hander made a mess of it, allowing seven runs and 12 hits in three-plus innings.

With Tom Glavine and Orlando Hernandez returning to the rotation this weekend in Houston, you have to figure this will be Perez's last turn for a while -- although manager Willie Randolph wouldn't say as much after the game.

"We don't know right now; we'll see,'' Randolph said. "We're in a situation where we have to look at what we have. I believe in showing confidence in my players, and letting them show me what they can do. He struggled with his command. He was behind in counts. He got in a lot of deep counts.''

After getting battered by a combined score of 21-8 in the first two games of this series, the Rockies were more concerned more about their last-place standing in the National League West than Perez's status.

They had pounded him for nine runs in just two-plus innings in a June 7 game here when Perez wore a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform, and they did it again with Perez wearing the Mets' road grays. And as unlikely as it seemed, Perez's 6.78 ERA entering the game inflated even higher, to 7.29.

"The problem was location,'' Perez said. "My slider wasn't good today. I don't want to think too much about this game. I have to try to learn from today and get better. They haven't told me anything yet. I just have to be ready to do whatever they want -- face one hitter out of the bullpen, or start another game.''

The Rockies scored three runs in the first, two on Matt Holliday's single; two more in the third, when winning pitcher Jeff Francis contributed the first of his two RBIs; and Perez's night ended following a two-run homer in the fourth by Garrett Atkins, who reached base safely in 10 of 14 plate appearances in the series.

The Mets got three runs in the fourth, including two on a double by Jose Reyes, who extended his hitting streak to eight games. The switch-hitting shortstop is batting.436 (17-for-39) during that stretch.

Shawn Green's struggles continued as an 0-for-4 game dropped him to 6-for-28 with five RBIs in a week with the Mets.

"I'm not concerned about him,'' Randolph said. "He's over-swinging a bit, trying to impress. He'll settle in. He'll be fine.''